Hydroponic assembly and wafer for use therein

Abstract

A hydroponic assembly in the form of a tray having spaced through-openings serving as growing stations, the tray being supported by a trough containing a body of nutrient solution. At each growing station there is a wafer of dry growing medium having a seed-receiving surface on its top side and having a wick communicating with its underside and extending downwardly into the nutrient solution, the growing medium being of the type capable of expanding three-dimensionally into a porous root-supporting block as the solution is fed via the wick by capillary action. The land surface surrounding each opening is formed into a well or receptacle for maintaining the porous block seated and generally aligned with the opening. A transparent cover of hollow inverted shape defines an enclosed space developing high humidity for sprouting of the seeds and growth of the resulting seedlings, the cover, tray and trough being interfitted. The wick is preferably secured to the underside of the wafer by being tacked in place with a metal staple.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hydroponic assembly comprising a tray of planar material having a plurality of growing stations spaced one from another to permit circulation of air thereabout, the respective growing stations each having through-openings surrounded by a land surface and a vertical surface rising therefrom to at least the height of the tray surface, a trough for supporting the tray and for containing a body of nutrient solution disposed beneath the growing stations, a wafer of dry compressed growing medium supported on the land surface at each growing station, a seed-receiving surface disposed on a top side of said wafer, a wick communicating with the wafer and extending downwardly into the nutrient solution, the wafer upon receiving nutrient solution through the wick by capillary action being capable of expanding three-dimensionally into a porous block having a height substantially greater than said vertical surface of said growing station and having a homogeneous composition that permits outward spreading of root structure, the height of the block being effective to provide vertically extending lateral area so that the contained root structure will receive constant aeration. 
     
     
       2. The hydroponic assembly of claim 1 wherein each wafer is moistened and in an expanded condition and is thereby secured in the corresponding through-opening. 
     
     
       3. The hydroponic assembly of claim 1, or 2 wherein each growing station is a circular recess. 
     
     
       4. The hydroponic assembly of claims 1 or 2 wherein the wick comprises a length of string secured to the underside of said wafer at a generally central position thereof. 
     
     
       5. The hydroponic assembly of claim 4 wherein the wick is secured to the underside of the wafer by means of a tack. 
     
     
       6. The hydroponic assembly of claim 4 wherein the wick is secured to the underside of the wafer by means of a staple. 
     
     
       7. The hydroponic assembly of claims 1 or 2 wherein the trough comprises an upper edge dimensioned to receive and support the tray, and a transparent cover of hollow inverted shape having a lower edge dimensioned for seating about the edge of the tray for defining an enclosed space having high humidity for germination of seeds and nurture of resulting seedlings. 
     
     
       8. The hydroponic assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the trough and the cover are of conforming shape but with the one being scaled to slightly smaller size than the other, for nested containment of one within the other for display packaging and shipment. 
     
     
       9. The hydroponic assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wick is in the form of a string the upper portion of which is draped over the land surface so as to be in capillary communication with the underside of the wafer. 
     
     
       10. The hydroponic assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each wick is attached to its respective land surface, the weight of the wafer and resulting porous block being sufficient to establish capillary communication with the wick. 
     
     
       11. The hydroponic assembly of claim 1 wherein said growing stations are circular, said wafer being dimensioned to have an initial nested fit in each growing station, said wick being in the form of a length of string secured to an underside of the wafer, and said wafer upon being moistened expanding three dimensionally into said block so that an increased lateral dimension results in a snug bracing fit with the vertical surface of the growing station. 
     
     
       12. The hydroponic assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the wick is in snug wedged engagement between the porous block and the vertical surface of the growing station. 
     
     
       13. The hydroponic assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trough has an upper edge formed to provide a step defining an inner supporting ledge and an upwardly extending lip surrounding the same, the tray being adapted to seat on the ledge, and a transparent cover of hollow inverted shape having a lower edge dimensioned for seating about the edge of the tray but within the lip of the trough so as to define an enclosed space having high humidity for sprouting of seeds and nurture of resulting seedlings. 
     
     
       14. The hydroponic assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the trough has parallel side walls and in which the supporting ledge on the trough is formed into a groove for matingly receiving the edge of the tray so that the tray supports the side walls against outward bowing due to the pressure of the nutrient solution thereagainst. 
     
     
       15. The hydroponic assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the cover has a pair of elongated side walls facing one another and in which one of the side walls, specifically the back side wall opposite the entry of the predominant light, is half-silvered to achieve reflection of light to the backside of the plants while permitting viewing thereof. 
     
     
       16. The hydroponic assembly as claimed in claim 13 including a planar transparent reflecting element with a half-silvered surface having its lower edge dimensioned to fit within the lip of the trough for support therein in a generally vertical position. 
     
     
       17. The hydroponic assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wick is impregnated with dry soluble nutrient material.